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NetScouts Basketball once again is covering the 61st Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament with several scouts and correspondents. The action tipped off yesterday. The two contests could not have been more different. K&D Rounds Landscaping used their superior size and speed to easily handle the Norfolk Sports Club 91-67. The nightcap was a back and forth affair that saw the Portsmouth Partnership edge Mike Duman Auto Sales 90-89. There were outstanding performances by players on each roster.

K&D Landscaping went on an early run five minutes into the game and never looked back. They took a 51-22 halftime lead as the Norfolk Sports Club shot a paltry 23.7 percent from the field including 0-9 from distance. The second half was more competitive but the halftime deficit was too much for the Norfolk Sports Club to overcome as K&D cruised to a 91-67 victory.

K&D was lead by a good all around effort by Brandon Davies of BYU with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was very effective in shooting 6-of-8 from the field on a variety of midrange shots and points in the paint. D.J. Seeley (Cal-Fullerton) had 15 points and Ryan Broekhoff (Valparaiso) chipped in with 12. Moustapha Yarou (Villanova) had a double- double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jack Cooley (Notre Dame) had 13 points and 14 rebounds and Will Clyburn (Iowa State) finished the game with 25 points to lead the Norfolk Sports Club.

Ryan Broekhoff

Portsmouth Partnership used a 22 point and 7 rebound second half from Jamelle Hagins (Delaware) to eke out a 90-89 victory over Mike Duman Auto Sales.

The game was featured by runs by each team and was not decided until a missed three pointer by Robert Covington (Tennessee State) with two seconds left. Hagins led the winners with 29 points and 11 rebounds. He also had 3 steals and was 12-of-19 from the field. Jake Cohen (Davidson) chipped in with 16 points and Chris Evans (Kent State) added 13. Covington led Duman with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Dwayne Davis (So. Mississippi) added 17 points and DeShawn Painter (Old Dominion) finished with 16.

Impressive Performances

Much is always made about who chooses not to go to the PIT and I am always surprised that borderline second round draft picks choose not to compete and essentially deny themselves the opportunity to prove that they are worthy of a pick. I know all the arguments for not participating but in my mind a player plays. I know many NBA scouts feel the same and Ryan Blake has made his opinion known by questioning the Solomon Jones decision. That being said I will focus on the players who chose to play.

Jamelle Hagins was outstanding in his first outing. He has been consistently among the nations leaders in rebounds during his career at Delaware. He showed that he possesses a nice midrange jumper although his release is a little slow. He is a very good effort player who thrives in the paint. He has good footwork and uses ball fakes and a variety of moves to finish in the paint. However, his greatest attribute is his effort on the glass. He had five offensive rebounds using a combination of strength and effort.

Jamelle Hagins

Brandon Davies was his usually efficient self. He can mix it up in the paint and also step out and hit the midrange jumper. He also distributed the ball from the high and low post very effectively. This was somewhat of a surprise given his negative assist/turnover ratio at BYU.

Will Clyburn is a good athlete who can score in a variety of ways. He has had a checkered career. He graduated from High School in 2009. He played for Utah in 2010-2011 and then played this past year at Iowa State. He is an inconsistent shooter from distance. He did shoot 40% at Utah but only shot 30.8 this past season.

Ryan Broekhoff of Valpo, D.J Seeley of Cal State Fullerton, Jake Cohen of Davidson, Robert Covington of Tennessee State, and Dwayne Davis of Southern Miss were also impressive.

Dave Maron is the lead college basketball scout for NetScouts Basketball. Thanks to CAASports.com for the Hagins photo.

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Managing Partner, NetScouts Basketball "The International Basketball Connection". Columnist, Basketball Times and Huffington Post. College and Professional Basketball Scout.
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